Muraho from Rwanda

Hey Luci,

I finally have Internet connection so I thought I would drop you and Emily a brief hello.

I feel like I have been all over this country since arriving. I started by flying to the west, right on the border with Congo to review new clinics we will be assisting this year. I drove back, what took 30 minutes by air was 6 hours by road. It was a beautiful drive, but this country is so juxtaposed. The tension is very close to the surface. I stopped at a memorial for the genocide on the way back, I was not as prepared as I had thought. I'm sending you some pictures, the one of the little girl standing on the wall was taken right next to school that had been turned into the memorial. I was standing in a room full of bodies and could hear the laughter of children playing just outside. It was truly affecting, chilling really.

You can also see happier things, one of the villages I was working in right before the rains come, the landscape, some kids who followed me everywhere and got into trouble with their teacher when they were going to be late for class, and one of me with the clinic team I was working with.
I then went to the north near the Ugandan border where we have two clinics. It was a lot of work but lovely. The country is the most densely populated in all of Africa, and you can feel that and see that as you make your way through. There are people everywhere, even in remote villages, and every square inch is cultivated. They call Rwanda the land of 1000 hills and it is true, everything is on the side of a mountain.

I have learned some Kirwandan which goes over big with the kids because it makes them laugh to see a white person (mzungu) speak their language, and the adults like it and try and teach me more or think I am fluent and launch into long conversations during which I smile and nod, smile and nod and try and explain that I don't understand.

As hard as this country is to be in, the trials are going on right now as to whether the french participated, and every other day there seems to be a gacaca (village trial of genocidiers), I fall more and more in love with this continent. The people, the way of life...I really could live here I think.

Well, I have some work to do while I have connection with the outside world. But I wanted you both to know I was thinking of you. I can't wait to be here with you both someday!

Love,

Kik